In Wake Of Scandals, U of Wisconsin System Eyes Policies On Contact With Minors

High-profile child sex abuse scandals at two universities have prompted the University of Wisconsin System to review its policies on employee and volunteer contact with minors and the reporting of crimes against children on campus.

UW System officials say they want to make sure that the sex abuse allegations engulfing Penn State and Syracuse universities would not go unnoticed here. They say they want to make sure that proper policies are in place and that steps are taken in the event abuse is reported or observed.

"In times like these, the public wants assurance that UW leaders share their interest in preserving a safe, secure learning environment for their children," wrote UW System President Kevin Reilly in a letter to university chancellors last week.

The UW Board of Regents approved a recommendation at its meeting Friday to move aggressively on a review in order to understand existing rules and laws and to evaluate how well those policies work.